AMY Tinkler has been ruled out of the Commonwealth Games after tearing ankle ligaments.

The South Essex Gymnastics Club member had been called up to the Team England squad to travel to Australia’s Gold Coast for the competition.

But a severe injury has resulted in the 18-year-old being set for a spell on the sidelines rather than representing her country.

And Tinkler, who moved to the Basildon-based gym 12 months ago, admitted that she is gutted to have had her Commonwealth Games dream taken away from her.

Tinkler, who won Olympic bronze on the floor at Rio 2016, said: “I’m absolutely gutted and heartbroken right now, my dream was to go to the Commonwealth Games and compete for my country but I will come back stronger.

“I will be working hard on my rehab and the aim, if all goes well, is to put myself in contention for the British team for the European Championships in Glasgow this summer.

“I can’t thank everyone around me enough for all the help and support they have given me over the past 24 hours and thank you everyone for your kind messages and support. I am overwhelmed.”

The teenager sustained the injury during the warm-up at the Gymnastics World Cup, which was held in Birmingham, on Thursday.

And scans have now confirmed that the Durham-born Tinkler has suffered a serious injury and will miss the trip to the Gold Coast, with the Commonwealth Games less than two weeks away.

Tinkler’s replacement has yet to be confirmed by Team England, but South Essex Gymnastics Club will still be represented in Australia.

Max Whitlock, who was a double Olympic gold medallist in Rio less than two years ago, is set to travel to Australia for the world-renowned competition.

And the 25-year-old will be looking to build on his stunning performances in the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Whitlock secured three gold medals in Glasgow, while also claiming bronze on the parallel bars.

The gymnast, who is the pommel horse world champion after notching gold in Montreal last year, will be joined on the Gold Coast by club-mate Reiss Beckford.

The 26-year-old will be competing in the Commonwealth Games for the first time since defecting to Jamaica.

Beckford won three silver medals, as a member of Team England, at the 2010 contest in Delhi, India.